‘Over 8,000 types of TikTok content removed’

A TOTAL of 8,071 types of content that were deemed undesirable were removed by TikTok in over a year, said Fahmi Fadzil.

“Between Jan 1 last year and Feb 15, 2024, the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), with cooperation from the platform provider, had taken down a total a 8,071 types of content on TikTok that had breached its community guidelines,” the Communications Minister said in a written reply to Lim Guan Eng.He said MCMC has held several engagement meetings with the management of TikTok to get their commitment and cooperation in monitoring the spread of undesirable content.

Among such content, he said, were material found to be slanderous and racially charged in nature, which could jeopardise harmony in the country.Fahmi said his ministry would act against anyone regardless of political affiliation if they have broken laws on these matters.

Responding to a separate question by Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), Fahmi said MCMC had investigated 155 complaints under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The provision covers the offence of using network facilities to transmit offensive communication or that which could cause annoyance to another person, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 upon conviction.

“Of these reports, 36 cases involved pornography, as well as fake content (66), distasteful content (47), threatening content (three) and obscene material (three),” he said.

He said three cases were brought to court, where two cases resulted in a RM5,000 fine each, with another case still pending.Fahmi added that three cases were offered compounds totalling RM75,000 with three others issued warning notices.“

A total of 33 cases are still under investigation while 108 were labelled no further action (NFA) or no offence disclosed (NOD).”Fahmi said the 108 NFA or NOD cases were those investigated by MCMC and does not include further action taken by the police.